The National tribune., 1887-05-19
RELIEF CORPS NEWS.
GleaningS from National Headquar-
terS--NOteS from the Departments.
ELizAnETH D'A. KISSF. National President.
NELLIE &. BACSUs. National Secretary.
MEMORIAL DAY AND THE w.R.c.


MEMORIAL DAY AND THE w.Rc.
NATIONAL HEADQ'Rs WoHAS's RELIEF CoRPs, !
4l9 CALIFORNIA STREET Room II,
General Orders, No. g.
While active preparations are being made by
every Post OF the Grand Army for the approaching
services OF Memorial Day, aud while their auxil-
larry Corps are assisting the comrades 70 make the
day more holy and the exercises more impressive.
the National President feels IL a pleasing duty to
conlmunc-lte with each member of our Order.
Melnorlal Day, 80 happily instituted in commem-
GRAFTON oi the patriot dead, who willingly gave
their lives that the Nation might live, has become
asaddening but blessed day for the Grand Army,
As they yearly march in steady but rapidly thin
Ding columns 10 tie last resting place of their com
radSs gone before; and IL can be part of our mis-
SION To weave chap!ets and garands. and provide
bouquets and wreaths of beautiful flowers, to be
placed upon the graves of the loyal dead.
There Is no labor OF love more fitting for the
hearts and hands of LOYAL women than that which
mus comes annually before them IN the month OF
laS "nei 'i'rlngtltne mergcs INTO the season that
brings the harvest Of what has been planted before
lhe SOth OF hay II our countTys seedtime of 10y
any, from which we shall reap n rich irultioh IN
the hearts oil all. and the members of the Woman's
heileI Iorps can everywhere find work To do, thus
aiding To inculcate lessons OF patriotism and love
OF country among our children and in the conmu-
mites in which we live"
Memorial bay should ever grow In the hearts Of
our people and you, my sisters are the ones who
nave special duty TO aid ia its growth. Let not
the sacredness Of the day die out but so increase
anu expand that so long Spring shall come and
nowers shall bloom. the people of this land, their
children, and their chdTeus children, shall feel
iInpeilcd TO go forth on Memorial Day and deck
the graves with floral offerings.
And let not the memory Of him whose burial
place II unknown be forgotten. but while all may
speak OF the sacredness of Memorial Day and of
those whose graves will be decorated tenderly,
thnk oi the others whose resting places can never
De beauliiied. and in imagination halow the spot
where they sleep.
When recollection Il busy, hearts are full. and
speech II difficult. think of those who lie silently
beneath the soil of Southern fields. in the shade
on The banks OF the rivulcis. and down the dark
ravlnes, where they fell amid the and carnage
oi battle. and were buried TO such music as boom
ing cannon. whistliug shot aud bursting shell.
Ihey, too. died for their country. they died to
make men free; and So while We gather together
To perform the duties Of the hour, let not their
memories be forgotten. Our beautiful custom of
preparing some floral tribute To the Unknown
Dead should not be omitted but in every ceme-
terry where our soldiers sleep, some such offering
should he placed.
Let Us ali realize the teachings of this sacred day.
and "a the lessons of loyalty thus nstled into
The hearts OF the people aud the fragrance of the
flowers and garlands send their essence above to-
the memory OF those gone before. our memorial
music VIII cease TO be dirge, and become swell
Ing anthem. Thus will the recollectOns of Memo
rial Day become benson and "a benediction; a
prophetic promise of perpetual peace to all the
nations of the earth.
by command of ELIZABETH DARCY KISSE, Ma
tional President
NELLIE q. BAcKUs. National Secretary.